What are your resolutions for 2014?

Tasked with uncovering the top New Year's Resolutions for 2014, the Times-Reporter scoured the Internet and discovered several obscure web sites that all had some idea of what people said they wanted to accomplish this new year.

Tasked with uncovering the top New Year's Resolutions for 2014, the Times-Reporter scoured the Internet and discovered several obscure web sites that all had some idea of what people said they wanted to accomplish this new year. After recognizing at least some common themes, a small list was compiled, and then sub lists that fall under those lists and finally advice on those lists from respected celebrities in their fields. If they're on TV or the radio, they obviously know what they're talking about. Right? Don't answer that.

These can be all ranked No. 1 in order of importance, depending on who you are and what you have going on.

Lose weight

Of course there's fancier ways of saying you want to lose weight, like eat healthier and exercise regularly, but it basically boils down to the same thing. Losing weight is almost always a common goal, based on personal experience and the hike in gym memberships every year.

It's also known to be broken fairly quickly by quite a few people. According to Time Magazine, "60 percent of gym memberships go unused and attendance is usually back to normal by mid-February." But never fear! AskMen.Com has some interesting advice.

The online magazine offered a different solution. Drink more water. Hydration is a good thing, and were you aware that it curbs your appetite? It curbs the need for less hydrating, sugar-ridden drinks known for weight gain, and you might just feel more energetic for those jumping jacks you plan to do when no one is looking!

And as AskMen states it: "This resolution is so simple that if you can't keep it, you probably shouldn't be making resolutions at all."

Save money

There's always some financial guru doling out advice about cutting up credit cards or investment options but if you're like me you get a little overwhelmed when it comes to finances. Just paying bills can seem like an accomplishment, but when it comes to building a nest egg and planning for the future it can be a lot harder, especially when you look at your bank account and ask "Where did it all go?"

Reader's Digest offered a few tips. One, divvy up any unexpected income such as a bonus, gift or unexpected boost from work. The idea is to put one third of it toward debt, a third toward future savings and a third for some personal investment you want. Keep a slush fund around for those unexpected car repairs. This one might be tough, but RD says to ditch the ATM card because it makes it too easy to make impulse buys and instead carry just the right amount of cash, and of course, create a budget one that reflects your spending habits more accurately.

Page 2 of 2 - Drink Less

USA.Gov listed this as the top resolution Americans make every year, but this could also be due to the fact that the resolution is made one day after one of the biggest drinking nights of the year — and subsequent hangovers that follow.

As one popular Facebook meme said "Alcohol — Because no good story ever started with a salad."

But an article in PolicyMic points out, "Drinking less kills many birds with one stone: It helps you lose weight, it helps your insides stay healthier, and it helps you make better life decisions."

For life decisions - see tomorrow's crime report.

You're welcome.

Learn Something New

There's always that one thing (or two) you wish you knew how to do. For some its playing an instrument, for others it's how to operate a computer or learning a new language. Whatever it is, Psychology Today supports the idea of trying something different especially as we get older.

According to Psychology Today "learning new things keeps us young-staving off Alzheimer's and age-related neurological changes by building up our brain's "cognitive reserves."

Enjoy Life More

OK, this sounds hokey, and pretty vague. And assuming you lost weight and had more money and a new hobby, wouldn't you be happier? But there's more to it, according to radio host John Tesh, who hosts a syndicated program called "Intelligence For Your Life."

Tesh points out that the top regrets of the dying, are that they didn't give themselves permission to be happy.

"Research shows that our feelings of happiness are greatest when we're 100 percent immersed in something that brings us joy," Tesh said.

So to boost that feeling, he said put on a funny movie (or youtube video) and laugh out loud, call or email a friend and talk about a happy memory, focus your senses on something you enjoy— like the taste of chocolate, and just indulge in a few moments to enjoy that cup of coffee or nice little conversation before going on with the rest of your day.

Some of this list was confirmed by http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/New-Years-Resolutions.shtml